My Second QAL for 2015

June 3, 2015 / manicmumdays / 3 Comments

I showed off the 3rd block for the Snapshots QAL last month …
And I think I’ve mentioned I am participating in 2 this year. {Now 3! haha} I have also had to play catch-up in the second and would like to share the first couple of blocks from that today 🙂

This QAL is Vacation Time QAL with Pat Sloan. Her blocks are gorgeous, and they are also easy to follow along and piece with very clear instructions.

Pat Sloan Vacation Time QAL 3 I’m using “Morning Walk” by Leah Duncan. 🙂
The colours are more muted than I would usually choose for myself. I picked up this bundle from the Fat Quarter Shop‘s Modern FQ Club {One of the clubs I mentioned a while back 🙂 }. I thought it might go nicely for this QAL and jumped in as I had no real idea what fabrics I was going to use until they arrived lol

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I am again joining the fabulous Ms Midge in a Charm Swap! This time round we are swapping Heather Bailey!!
I am in love with all of the fabrics! I borrowed the pic below from Ms Midge – just look how gorgeous all of the lines are together!!
And the best news yet? => the majority of swaps were sent back to us TODAY!!!
Squeeeeee!! 😀 Isn’t Midge a superstar?? I’ll be stalking the postie now …

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To add to my excitement, I have also joined the Aussie Aurifil Club!!
And since Midge is running that too, we held off my delivery of May’s thread and it’s coming with my charms!!
{I have no idea where Midge gets all of her time and energy, but I am eternally grateful!}

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My hope for the next few days is to continue to catch up with my QALs. Hubby is away on business and that usually makes it a bit easier 😉 We also have a long weekend here in Queensland so I plan on indulging in a sleep in on Monday since I am working the rest of the weekend. I do so love a sleep in … And when I get up, a PJ/sewing day is on the cards!

What are you doing this weekend? Hope you have time for some sewing or crafting!

Monday Musings

May 11, 2015 / manicmumdays / Leave a comment

Heya! How are you? How was your weekend?
Did you get any sewing, crafting, or furniture-playing done?

… I worked! All.Weekend.Long. Yes, even yesterday, Mother’s Day.
I was spoiled the couple of hours I was home … nice pressies and a simple but yummy dinner cooked for me when got home. What more could a girl ask for? 🙂

I have done a little sewing this last week! A catch up block in the Snapshots QAL :

{I still have one more catch up to do before the 5th is released to us later this week!}

This one has gone to its home and is happily being used by a very cute baby boy 🙂

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And … LOOK what I bought myself last week!!!
My 3rd antique Singer! This one is a fully working electric, and is in perfect condition! I am in love 🙂

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My Master H, who’s 9, has expressed an interest in sewing!
He wants to piece his much-loved stuffed dog, Bernie, a quilt for winter! So I have given him one of my mini charm packs to have a go with. He chose MODA’s Feed Company mini charms :

I have joined in a couple of clubs from the Fat Quarter Shop! You can find them HERE – I joined the Mini Charm Club and the Modern FQ Club, but there are HEAPS of choices! => Solids, Reproduction, Aurifil, Charms, Jelly Roll, Holiday FQ, to name a few! Check them out! I wish I could afford to join more! haha

Anyhow, that’ll do me for today … back to the happy stitches {and catching up on my QALs!}
Have a fabulous week,

Plodding Along

April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 / manicmumdays / Leave a comment

… Yup. That’s me this month. Plodding along.

Getting things done, but not feeling like I am. How was your Easter? Hope the Easter Bunny was kind to you!

I have finished a couple of quilt tops in the last couple of weeks, quilted one of them and the binding is attached on one side ready to hand stitch the other side. I’ve also done a couple of BOMs/QALs.
It feels productive, but don’t seem to have much to show for my labours.
Would you like to see some sneak peeks? If you’re anything like me the pics are usually the highlight of a blog post haha. Here you go :

A cute baby quilt using a tute by Jessica Kelly found at Moda Bakeshop and some Riley Blake’s Snips & Snails 🙂
It still needs a back and to be quilted.

This one is a simple brick pattern with border. I used Country Girls by Riley Blake and my favourite white Quilters Solid from The Oz Material Girls. It’s been SLQed with my new walking foot and just needs its binding finished!The back of the same quilt. It ended up mainly blue/green/white because that’s what I had left! haha

I have joined Pat Sloan’s Quilt Along facebook page and as well as joining in the awesome Vacation Time Mystery BOM, {I will share some pics next time} she throws us awesome challenges! Do you remember when I mentioned leaders and enders last month {HERE}? That revelation was born from Pat’s last challenge – Hip To Be Square!
Anyhow, her latest challenge is the String Bean Challenge and all we had to do was use some of her own fabrics to be in the running for the fabulous prizes she has up for grabs this time round. I had a gorgeous jelly roll of her One For You, One For Me fabrics sitting round all lonely so I bit the bullet and cut into it! ^ This is the result of that. I love it!! It’s a great sized throw and I will find it hard to let go of so it might be joining my growing collection.
Thanks for stopping by!

40 is the Word

March 13, 2015February 7, 2016 / manicmumdays / Leave a comment

So, like I mentioned in my last post – I turned the bog 4-0hhh-noo last month …How the hell did that happen??
Remember back when 40 seemed sooo old? Me too!
Doesnt seem that bad so far – alot like 39 haha! 🙂
And you know what they say …..
I decided to make a list of {non-quilty} things I want to achieve in my 40’s.
1. Sky Diving.
2. Learn another language.
3. Take a trip somewhere completely new each year. {This one will be HARD!}
4. Visit each state in our fantabulous country.
5. {Try and} Learn to ski. On snow. I can water ski {well, that is to say I used to be able to water ski – not sure I’d be able to actually get up on the skis any more! haha}
6. Get and stay fit and healthy – I’m already on my way with that one!
7. Get more into my furniture recycling and creating.
8. Buy a cool new car! *sigh* one day.
9. Buy a better camera and get back into photography.
10. Sew. Quilt. Make. Create … Design even.

Hmmm … seems a little wishy-washy hey? To be honest, I am not the best in making plans and mapping my life. I have always been a bit of an “As the wind blows me” kinda gal. This year’s goals are to finish my TAFE course; find a job in that field; take a short trip somewhere new with my little family. Not too shabby a goal list for this year 🙂

Do you set life goals? 5 year plans? Or just take it as it comes?
I’d love for you to tell me!
Have a GREAT weekend! {I’m working all weekend so not much sewing will be done *sigh*}

March 2nd??? … where did February go?

March 2, 2015 / manicmumdays / 1 Comment

Hey everyone!
Sorry it’s been static round here – I blinked and a whole month was gone …
What have you been up to? Please share!
What have I been up to?

First I settled my little people into school life again :
Here with Maisy the Prep guinea pig 🙂 My littlest started prep this year! Where has the time gone???

I joined in a couple of QALs!
Here are my first two blocks from the Snapshots QAL :

I will have to share pics from the others next time as I haven’t taken any yet lol

I painted our spare room.
This is the colour the whole interior is going to be painted – Taubman’s Straun Grey:
I will eventually replace the blinds and wardrobe doors, but it looks nice and fresh so far 🙂

I put a new QS bed together {all by myself in under an hour lol} for our newly painted spare room :
{Yes, that is where my Kate’s Kate now lives!! 🙂 } Curtains were yet to be re-hung in this one …

I made a VERY exciting discovery!!
Leaders and enders!
My.Mind.Is.Blown!!
Cut all your scraps to 2.5″ squares and sew a couple together at the start and end of each chain during a project! I can’t tell you how much thread I am saving!!! And I am ending up with these :
And you can just keep adding to it! I am going to keep going til I have a huge bright, scrappy quilt top!

I’ve been to the optometrist :
I also turned the big 4-OHHH in February!!! Or as I like to call it, Thirty-ten 🙂
… which might explain my diminishing eyesight haha

I have also been sick and had a niggling cough for a few weeks which I am only just shaking.
And been working hard as usual. I love meeting so many of my customers – I get some fabulous tips and got one this weekend that I am keen to try out when the weather cools down and I can get back in the shed to work on it 🙂

Anyhow … That’s how I’m doing. I’d love if you’d let me know how you are doing!

Introducing my completed “Kate’s Kate”!

January 28, 2015 / manicmumdays / 4 Comments

This baby has been a LONG time coming! I think because she is going to live on my bed I haven’t stressed about rushing to get her done. {After the initial rush to get her top finished – HERE} This is my use of the gorgeous Aussie Kate Spain Charm Swap by the lovely Ms Midge! In case I’ve never mentioned, I adore Kate Spain!

She is queen sized, and more beautiful than ever 🙂

I was half way thru working on the back when I put her away last year to finish some other projects. And there she languished … until I saw an offer to good to refuse to have her quilted by the fantabulous Kelly from The Quilt Machine!

I had originally intended to make this a true double-sided quilt with a differently pieced back. I had pieced some window-style panels, but I knew there would be no chance I’d finish in time to send to Kel … after all, those freaking panels were why it’s been a UFO for a few months lol
So instead I whipped up the quickest backing I have ever done. {Have you noticed that despite the fact I am taking it “slow” with it, EVERYTHING to do with this quilt has been rushed??} I am happy with the backing tho, it features some of my favourite Kate Spain fabrics with some from Terrain, Cuzco, and Honey Honey. I adore how Kate Spain fabrics look so beautiful together – even from different lines.

Can you guess what my favourite colours are?
I find myself surrounded at home by testosterone with my boys and ~~the man-child~~ Mr Manic … Even the freaking dog is a male! haha. So I think that may have factored a little in my choices. This is MY quilt and I wanted it to be really girly for a change. Either way, I adore it!!

Once I got her home I changed my mind on the binding. I was going to go with a scrappy binding, but went with white instead and I think it works beautifully!

Anyhow … I have a few projects on the boil now, so I’m off! Will share again soon 🙂
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The Countdown Is On …

January 22, 2015February 7, 2016 / manicmumdays / Leave a comment

The countdown is on for back to school …

Only 5 sleeps left they told me this morning.

My littlest baby is starting big boy school this year and I am getting a sad already! 😦
Yes! I am one of those Mums.
The ones you see stumbling to the gate after the first drop off, blind with the tears you’ve held in until you’ve left them in their new classroom …
Because you don’t want them to start the day sad too 😦
Their excitement makes me feel better.

Why can’t they slow down and stop growing up?
Is it just me or does it go really F A S T?

I am also waiting to get cracking on my next cluster for TAFE. I have lost a little motivation. I am also only part way thru the house painting. And I have heaps of sewing and quilting on my list. So I am hoping I will have HEAPS to do and avoid any moping round missing my babies *sigh*

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On a plus note I have a couple of projects cut out and ready to go, I just haven’t had the space to lay them out without little feet wanting to get past … So I will knock them off the to-do list in the next few weeks!

Anyhow, that’s all I have for this short post … I will have a finish to share whenever we get a break from rain. I’m not complaining cos we reeeaaalllllly need it. But half a day of sunlight would be nice so I can get some pics taken …
Stay tuned for those, they will be sure to cheer me up 🙂

ooooh That Reminds Me …

January 5, 2015February 7, 2016 / manicmumdays / 2 Comments

I forgot to tell you!!

The fabulous ladies at Make Modern magazine have done a feature on Ms Midge‘s, Aussie Kate Spain Charm Swap … And they featured the projects we made with the goodies from the swap!

My “Kate’s Kate” Quilt has appeared in the feature!!

{Remember her?} I am still so in love with this quilt!

And guess what? I am finished the back and it is being sent off to the fabulous Kelly from The Quilt Machine to work her magic on 🙂 It’s QS and I think the backing is the largest single thing I have ever pieced! haha

I can’t WAIT to get her back and share some pics!
I am shaking in my boots thinking about all.that.binding. tho! 🙂
I have started cutting strips for it already. I can’t decide on one single binding so it will be another scrappy one I think …

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You really should check out the Make Modern magazine!

It’s a digital magazine with fantastic content – features, tutes, tricks, tips and much, much more! You can find it HERE!

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And while I am plugging things – You should totally head on over and like the fledgling Manic Mumdays Facebook page! You can find that HERE! {Or click the link on the RH side of the blog 🙂

Catch you soon!

Rainy Days Make me Happy!

January 3, 2015January 3, 2015 / manicmumdays / 1 Comment

I love a rainy day! It’s been raining on and off all day here – BLISS as we soo need it!

Just FYI – as I am typing this evening this song is running thru my head and it won’t go away :

So I figure if I share it with you it might! A problem shared is a problem halved, right?
{Edit : It started raining before I finished writing so this song is totally valid! ha!}

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So I thought I might join in the blogging world’s ‘Word of the Year’ this year!
Last year I was still new and didn’t follow nearly as many awesome blogs as I do this year, so this is the inaugural #onelittleword for me … My word for 2015 is … drumroll please … :

{do you see what I did there? 😉 }

I have a huge year ahead with Family, Work, Study, Placement, Sewing, Restoring.
I need to use all of my patience and skills to get balance right at the best of times, so 2015 should be a great big test for me! It also ties in nicely with my bucket lists for this year.

What would you choose for your #onelittleword?

2015 Here We Come!

December 31, 2014February 7, 2016 / manicmumdays / 4 Comments

I’m again not making New Year’s Resolutions.

Instead, from now on I will continue to make a yearly bucket list!

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2015 Regular Bucket List
1. Walk our Jack more regularly {we’re both too chunky!}

2. Practice, practice, practice my Free Motion Quilting
3. Swear less {at least when the kids are in earshot}

4. Be more creative with my cooking
5. Say ‘No’ when I mean it more often
6. Save more / BUDGET better – we’re saving for a holiday to …

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2015 Sewing Bucket List
1. Practice, practice, practice my Free Motion Quilting {you’re not imagining it – this made both lists lol Can you tell I really mean it?}
2. Make a Churn Dash Quilt. I have some Best.Day.Ever to use for this one … Soon. Very soon!

3. Sew more clothes for the kids – they LOVE it when I sew for them 🙂
4. Make a rainbow Plus Quilt
5. Make a Rainbow Reverse Wonky Star Quilt like this {A long-term goal that I’d like to tackle next year 🙂 }

{I found this gorgeous example on Pintrest from Flutter Kat! }
6. Start using up all my scraps! I love scrappy quilts!
7. Buy as little as possible – Use my stash all up!
8. Log Cabin Quilt

{I found this one on Pintrest by Red Pepper Quilts and I LOVE it!}
9. This Quilt :

{I don’t know where to credit, I found it on Pintrest and it’s link is an error 😦 So if it’s yours I’m sorry, if you don’t want me to use it please let me know xo}
10. A Drunkards Path Quilt. I actually have this one cut out ready to sew … one day soon!
11. Get my nephew’s and niece’s raggy quilts finished {I am actually aiming at finishing these by the end of January! Wish me luck! 😀 }

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I will no doubt add to this list, but that will do for now 🙂
Happy New Year everyone, I hope 2015 will be everything you hoped and dreamed of ❤